Police Continue To Search For Motive In Columbia Mall Shooting

COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ) — The most significant insight into the mind of Mall in Columbia shooter Darion Aguilar comes from his handwritten journal.

Mike Hellgren has the latest on the investigation.

In that journal, police say Aguilar “expresses thoughts of wanting to die, says he is ready to die and has a general hatred of others.”

He expresses that “his plan is set” but does not indicate what he’s referring to. And included in his writing is an apology to his family for what he is planning to do.

By all accounts, his mom had no idea and was so alarmed she reported him missing. WJZ obtained the missing persons report, showing he left home just after 5 a.m. Saturday. He would be dead six hours later.

“I don’t know what happened. I really don’t. It’s so unusual. You can talk to any of his friends and find out what a gentle person he was,” his mother said.

In Aguilar’s journal, “he indicates he thought he needed a mental health professional, but never told his family.”

Police say the journal entries were sporadic and written over a one-year period.

According to them, “Aguilar mentions killing people, but in general terms. He does not mention the victims or any other person. He does not mention targeting specific people, locations, ethnicities or groups.”

Barbara Clark works across from the mall.

Hellgren: “Is it important for you to learn the motive here?”

Clark: “Not really. I think it was an isolated incident. I think it’s an incident that could happen anywhere.”

Susan Waid went back to shop for the first time Thursday.

“I just think it’s terribly tragic and nothing can be done to change what happened now,” she said.

Lives were shattered forever when a deeply troubled teenager opened fire at the mall.

A family friend says inside this journal there were also typical teenage musings, talking about things like girls and acne.